Limerick Crowned Under 17 All Ireland Plate Champions.

Limerick’s Under 17 squad made the Journey to the GAA centre of excellence in Abbotstown, Co Dublin on Tuesday, 15 August to be part of the Lgfa annual fixture that is the National Under 17 blitz.

The competition saw teams from 15 counties arrive bright and early for what was a keenly contented event. Placed in Group 4 with New York, Cork & Meath, Limerick settled to their rhythm quickly and played some fine football to emerge from the group to play Galway in the Plate semi final.

Limerick negotiated the semi final on a scoreline of 1-5 to 0-3 and played some super football into the bargain.

Roscommon proved too strong for Kildare in the other semi-final and would provide a strong opposition for Limerick in the final. Similar to the semi final, Limerick got off to a flier and raced into an early lead that was eagerly protected by the backs. It resulted in a 1-3 to 0-2 points lead heading into the break.

The half time message was very much focused on maintaining the first half performance levels and not letting Roscommon back into the game. The Rossies did come back with renewed purpose but It was Limerick who added another 1-2 to their tally while keeping their opponents at bay.

When the final whistle went, Limerick were 2-5 to 1-4 winners and crowned under 17 All-Ireland plate champions.

Limerick: Lucy Ryan (St Brigids) Captain, Sophie Hennessy (Old Mill), Caoilinn Keane (Ahane), Andrea Ryan (Oola), Joanne Foley (Mungret/St {Paul’s) Vice Captain, Caroline Brennan (Dromin/Athlacca/Banogue), Ciara Hynes (Knockainey), Claire Carmody (Athea), Katie Heelan (St Ailbes) Vice Captain, Clare O’Meara (Mungret/St Paul’s), Kathleen Bradshaw (Oola), Aoife O’Halloran (Ahane ), Cathy Ambrose (Old Mill), Leah Coughlan (Oola), Aoife Corbett (Monagea), Roisin Breedy (Galtee Gaels) and Iris Kennelly (Old Mill).

Management Team: Kevin Boyle (St Brigids), Pat Galvin (Mungret/St {Paul’s) and Breda Ahern (Ahane).

Members of the squad who were unable to travel on the day were: Ella Fitzgerald (Fr Casey’s), Lauren Ryan (Adare), Aoife Hickey (Adare) and Rachael Fennell (Mungret/St Paul’s).